The HR Research Institute (HRRI) has established its Future of HR Skills and Strategies 2026 Advisory Board, bringing together prominent thought leaders to direct HR capability-building during a period of significant industry transformation. This initiative responds to organizations confronting rapid AI advancements, workforce redesign, evolving employee expectations, and increasing labor market complexity.
The advisory board will steer HRRI's comprehensive research initiative and virtual event, concentrating on how HR teams can proactively develop competencies and strategies for emerging workforce challenges. Their collective expertise will emphasize proven approaches for upskilling and reskilling HR professionals within the HR.com community to effectively manage future talent landscapes. The program intends to deliver practical guidance and research-backed strategies for HR executives seeking to strengthen team capabilities, leverage advanced tools and methodologies, and position organizations for sustained success.
The virtual event is scheduled for March 18, 2026, and builds upon previous industry research including HR.com's Future of HR Skills and Strategies 2025 report, which is available for download at https://hr.com/researchinstitute. The newly appointed board includes industry leaders such as Jennifer Akoma of Android Industries, Joya Bradley of Argus Media, Dr. Ken Keis of Consulting Resources Group, and Dr. Jonathan H. Westover of Western Governors University, among other distinguished HR professionals from organizations including ChenMed, Brooks Rehabilitation, and Keck Medicine of USC.
Debbie McGrath, CEO of HR.com, highlighted the timing of this initiative, noting that the HR function is experiencing its most significant transformation in decades. The board will guide critical topics in HR professional development, equipping leaders with frameworks, competencies, and strategies required to drive organizational excellence in a volatile environment. The HR Research Institute, which serves over 2 million HR professionals, publishes numerous high-quality reports across various HR topics. Their research resources, including hundreds of reports and infographics, are developed with assistance from advisory boards and thought leaders. Additional information about their research initiatives can be found at https://hr.com/hrresearchinstitute.
This advisory board formation constitutes a strategic response to the pressing need for HR professionals to adapt to technological disruption and evolving workforce dynamics. By assembling diverse industry perspectives, the initiative aims to deliver actionable insights that will assist organizations in navigating the complex challenges of modern talent management and positioning HR as a strategic driver of organizational success. For vendors in the human resources industry, this development signals a growing market demand for solutions that support HR upskilling, reskilling, and strategic capability development. The research outcomes and frameworks emerging from this board will likely influence purchasing decisions and solution development across the HR vendor ecosystem, as organizations seek tools and methodologies aligned with these future-focused competencies.
